Saturday, November 26, 2016

A wild day at Lake Padden

The hardiest of the hardy
When I woke this Saturday morning and checked the weather, I wondered who, if any, would be joining Lily and me as we drove off to Lake Padden, where we were scheduled to meet for our 8:00am walk. I knew Cindy would be there, she's the leader, but despite the wind and rain, thirteen of us showed up to brave the elements. And spend time together while making two loops around the lake. If it was simply awful, we could always skip the second loop.

So we set out in wind gusting well above 25mph, while the rain was only spitting at us occasionally. We knew that would change. By the time we were halfway around and in the shelter of the trees, it was like a different world, with the sound of the wind high above us and little rain. But when we came out of the trees, the wind and rain hit us, causing those of us who had taken off our rain gear a chance to pull it all snug around us again.

Some of us called it a day after the first loop, but the majority went on around a second time, with the rain a little stronger and the wind a little less. I was not soaked when we finished, but going out for coffee somewhere didn't tempt me much, as I was not totally dry. Lily and I went off to the Farmers' Market before heading home. At least I got my steps in for the day, and now I can lounge around and enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers once again without any guilt.
The sheltered part of the trail
This picture shows the far side of the 2.6-mile loop, where we cruised along in relative comfort. By the second time around, however, we were glad to finish our Saturday morning adventure without any trees having blown down on us, and without the heavy rain that we knew was coming. And it's here now, as I finish up my post. We've had almost an inch of rain already today! Nice to be inside again.
:-)

16 comments:

  1. I am not at all surprised that you didn't give up and did that second loop.
    Thank you so much for your comment on my post today. Hugs.

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  2. You find so many beautiful places to hike! You are an inspiration to all of us. I am 64 and I want to be like you when I grow up!

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  3. When the kids left at 9:30 this morning the sun was shining. Now, at 1:30 it is so dark that I have turned on the lamps. The wind is blowing strong and cold and rain is due anytime.

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  4. I think it's miserable all across the continent today, Jan. We have the exact same weather as you do. You are a determined group.

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  5. We were outside for about an hour today picking greens for holiday decorations. Other than that I have just ignored the outside . Now at 4:30 it is getting dark already.

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  6. You have to be dedicated to keep up your walks. It also helps that you have a goal of fitness.

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  7. Way to get out there, despite the bad weather! We PNW'ers are a hardy bunch.

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  8. I guess I had a west coast walk here too. Walked down an easy nearby trail and it rained all the way. Heaviest under the trees 'cause it had been raining all day and they were dripping. At least I got some cardio climbing the 325 steps back up at the end of the trail! And I'm learning what the 'rain' forest is like.

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  9. We've been getting a bit of rain over here too, along with wind. I'm sure not willing to go out in that kind of weather though. I so admire you getting your exercise in every kind of weather. We're still eating left-overs too and enjoying it.

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  10. I'm recuperating from cold so treated myself to one of the world's laziest days. Brisk exercise for you, girl!

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  11. I keep thinking what a stalwart bunch you all are to walk in all kinds of weather but if you weren't, you would never get out. Good to know you can count on the group.

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  12. Sounds like an endurance test on half that trek--LOL! ;)

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  13. I think that photo looks kinda wild indeed. ha,ha What a hike that was Djan - I think you should finish that turkey n stuff, and not worry a wee bit, eh. Have a lovely day.

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  14. Lots o' rain, huh? Boy, am I jealous. All we get is clouds and then the wind blows the front further up north of us. And the temps linger in the 80s by midday. You braved the elements once again. And the woods are lovely [as are your lady trekkers---and I'm not talking the Captain Kirk kind of trekkers]

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